Chloe Stothart reveals this week's movers and shakers
Martin Doughty
Martin Doughty, a member of DTZ Pieda Consulting's housing team, has been promoted to the post of associate director. Martin's new responsibilities will include focusing on valuation consultancy in the social housing sector, including the provision of security valuations for funders and stock transfer valuations.

Howell Merchant
Howell Merchant has been elected chair of South Warwickshire Housing Association's board. Howell has been a board member since the association was set up following transfer in 1996 from Stratford-on-Avon council. He replaces Roy Brooks, who has stood down but remains chair of South Warwickshire's parent company, the Heart of England Housing Group.

Mark Thrasher
Chester & District Housing Trust has made Mark Thrasher assistant director of resources. Mark is a chartered accountant and has previously worked for nearby Dane Housing as a financial controller. He said: "I am really excited to have this opportunity and am looking forward to expanding my responsibilities within the role."

Ged Lucas
Stockport council community services director Ged Lucas has been appointed as the council's deputy chief executive. Ged, who joined the council five years ago, will continue in his community services role, which includes responsibility for the borough's housing. He replaces former environment and economic services director Ron Hilton.

Job of the week

Name
Phil Allmond
New job
Head of response maintenance and deputy director of building services at Swaythling Housing Society, Southampton
Job specification
To improve maintenance services. “I have responsibility for in-house services, customer services and surveying.”
Old job
Contracts surveyor at Vale Housing Association in Oxfordshire.
First housing job
Maintenance services for Vale’s works department.
How did you get there?
“I was a sub-contractor bricklayer so I know a good job when I see one and I know how to get the best out of contractors. I got into housing associations because of the downturn in the construction industry in the late 1980s.”
Who is your role model?
“Will Carling. His style of leadership was to lead by example and as a manager this is a good attitude to have.”
If you were housing minister, what would you do to improve the housing situation in the UK?
“I would try to remove the stigma of “social housing”, and stop low-demand housing being demolished, by putting people in there who are willing to take charge of the area.”
Advice or tips?
“Read what’s going on in social housing and be determined.”
Tell us something we don’t know
“I’ve scored a try at Twickenham.”

Source

Housing Today